CHAPTER II. 



ON LOCALITY AND SOILS; AND THE IMPROVEMENT OR 

 ADAPTATION OF SOILS FOR ROSE-CULTURE. 



If we were called upon to select a spot as best suited for the cultivation of 

 Roses, we should seek one at a distance from large towns, that we might secure 

 the advantages of a pure air. It should lie open to the south, and be so far 

 removed from trees of every description, that their roots could not reach the soil 

 of our Rose-beds, or their tops overpower us with shade, and prevent a free cir- 

 culation of air. If, in addition to this, we could choose our soil, that preferred 

 would be a strong loam ; if rich, so much the better ; if poor, we would enrich it 

 by the addition of manures. It is generally known, that the Dog-rose delights 

 in a stiff, holding soil ; and it is on the Dog-Rose the choice garden varieties are 

 usually budded. We do not intend by this to recommend soils commonly 

 termed clayey, for in such there is often too great a deficiency of vegetable sub- 

 stances ; lighter soils, too, are found better suited for such kinds as thrive best 

 grown on their own roots ; but this may be managed by the addition of a little 

 light turfy loam, peat, or leaf-mould, at the time of planting. An open, airy 

 situation, and a stiff loamy soil, are, we say, what we should prefer, were our 

 choice of locality and soil unlimited. With these at our command, we should 

 expect to carry Rose-culture to perfection. " But," says the amateur, " all 

 gardens must have Roses, and how few are there thus favourably circumstanced. 

 Many are close to large towns, where the air is rendered impure by the clouds of 

 smoke constantly streaming into it. Others are of small size, and are often 

 hemmed in by trees on all sides ; on this with a neighbour's favourite chest- 

 nuts ; on that with a group of sombre-looking firs ; and on another with a row of 

 towering elms. And although we may think it not right that our less majestic 

 denizens should suffer at their hands, we have no help for it. They have their 

 pets as we have ours. They find as much pleasure in the blossoms of their 

 chestnuts, in the agreeable shade of their elms during the sultry months of 

 summer, or by the privacy afforded them by the impenetrable darkness of their 

 fir-trees, as we do in the perfect form and varied tints of our Roses. We cannot 

 rid ourselves of their shade. We have no right, indeed, to wish to do so. But 

 we might not hesitate to dock their roots, should they, in their peregrinations, 



